O'Neill key to Villa move - Routledge

Aston Villa's new midfielder Wayne Routledge says he is "honoured' to have been signed by the club and revealed the reason why he chose to make the move northwards was the lure of working under Martin O'Neill.

Aston Villa's new midfielder Wayne Routledge says he is "honoured' to have been signed by the club and revealed the reason why he chose to make the move northwards was the lure of working under Martin O'Neill.

The 23-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur winger said he was "absolutely ecstatic" about his switch to the Midlands and said he could not wait to start working with the Northern Irishman a manager he has long admired.

The former England Under-21 international played only two matches for Spurs this season during which he has spent time at Fulham and Portsmouth on loan.

A broken foot sustained when he joined Spurs from Crystal Palace hampered his early career at White Hart Lane and he then lost out to Aaron Lennon.

But the youngster says all that is behind him as he strives to help Villa's quest for European football this season.

Routledge said: "I am ecstatic, absolutely ecstatic about this move. I can't wait to start my Aston Villa career. Villa is a massive club and Martin O'Neill has done great things here already.

"The manager's record at bringing players through is amazing and if he can do the same with me it will be good for Aston Villa."

Routledge added: "To even be linked with a club like Villa was amazing and to be here and signed is a massive privilege.

"I am honoured. I just want to prove myself now. It is a forward step for me. As soon as I heard about Villa's interest in me there was only one club I wanted to sign for."

The right-sided midfielder said he had heard all about Villa's ambition and its quest to live up to its "bright future" motto and said he had also been impressed by the £13 million state-of-the-art facilities at the club's new Bodymoor Heath training ground.

"The training ground is an amazing place and I have been shown around and it is remarkable," he said.

"Exciting times are ahead for this club. Villa Park is a massive stadium with great fans and a superb atmosphere. I can't wait to play there again.

"Everyone has seen how well Villa have done this season and Martin has signed some good players in his time here and brought the best out of his team. I hope he can do that with me. There are some exciting months ahead and now the hard work begins. I want to do well for the supporters and well for Martin."

Meanwhile, Villa's youth team coach Tony McAndrew has heaped praise on his young guns after they cruised to the sixth round of the FA Youth Cup by thrashing Ipswich Town 5-0.

McAndrew saw his youngsters romp home in front of a 1,200-strong crowd at Villa Park, thanks to a hat-trick by Nathan Delfouneso and further strikes by James Collins and Barry Bannan. McAndrew said: "I am so proud of the lads. They put their bodies on the line for the club and they gave everything they had. They are as honest as the day is long and are a credit to Aston Villa."

Villa, the 2002 winners, will play either Carlisle or Southend away in the next round.